I recently posted some baby photos I did for a friend here. They loved them so much that they recommended me to a friend of theirs. I still consider myself an amateur, barely even a hobbyist, but I'm more than happy to oblige them.
However, I have never charged for my services and I'm not sure how much I should be looking at charging for a baby shoot. The only photography I really know the prices of locally is wedding stuff. I'm planning my wedding right now so those I know quite well. Photog prices range from $1300-2000 for 'lower end' and I've seen as high as $3500 for high end.
With that in mind, how much should I be considering charging?
Check out a couple photographers in your area and find out what they charge for the type of session you are planning on. You can price it based on time or amount of shots or both. It also depends if you retain the files and charge for prints or if you give the customer printing rights etc. I don't charge a lot for my sessions with the idea that the profit is gained on the print order. Portrait sessions are much different than weddings though so you really can't compare them price-wise.
My fiance was looking after I shot this set to see what locals do baby shoots, and how much they charge. Surprisingly little came up, prompting the thought of starting on the side and filling a niche.
I plan on giving them full printing rights. I'm not in a position to worry about getting prints done for them. In my area it's rare to see photographers who don't offer printing rights.
My concern is more if my skills are such that charging local prices is fair. I'm my worst critic, so I have to rely on the eye of others.
Looking at the 2 shots posted I would say you need more practice before you start to charge. Some of the blog shots are better but again it appears you shot a lot of frames in hope of getting something.
I shot a lot of frames cause a baby in the park doesn't sit still.
Of the 450 I shot, 250 were usable. Of those I delivered 75.
The only major technical issues I noticed in them is that there are a number of blown highlights, and a few a little soft.
If you know of any photogs with this kind of work I would love to see. There really doesn't appear to be anyone local who doesn't do the usual boring studio baby portraits.
Yes. The blown highlights and soft focus were the reason I said practice was required. At least you can see it so that is good and should be easy to correct before your paid shoots. Guess I am one who would prefer to shoot 35 really good images with 34 keepers that are in focus and have correct light.
KAJed ... with experience, you'll be able to capture the little one's with good light on them ... also, a bit of advice, never post or show to your client, anything but your best work, you will always be remembered by what you show, so if your images are soft focus, white balance off, etc ... that will be the reputation you will get.
Once you begin charging, you should have a 95+% keeper rate, your tosses should be from blinks and dorky expressions.
Shooting kids or pets, they all move, you eventually learn good timing and ways of keeping the light on, plus ways of getting their attention, so you don't need to take 450 pictures to get 75 ... you'll be able to take 50 and keep 49 ... but in reality, should only show 10-20 to sell to the client ...
as an amateur stepping up to semi-pro ... are you ready? You already failed the first two tests ... presentation (presenting us poor examples), and knowledge (you seem to know it all and aren't open to advice) ... I'll happily accept your challenge to try & run around keeping a "good" light on a little one ...
I only ever show my 'clients' what I consider to be the best shots. In terms of images being soft this set does have a few that are tack-sharp. However, at this low resolution that is not apparent. The shot of her over the yellow ladder is in perfect focus in LR. Batch resizing does have a tendency to do that.
However, with that said, my focus still remains a little soft. It's something I'm still working on, and still rely on auto-focus much of the time.
I do have a problem with your keeper rate. I have read countless threads here on FM and on other boards. A photogs keeper rate seems to be a very subjective thing. Now, mind you I would prefer to take 10 shots and keep 10 shots, but that doesn't seem to be the case for most people. There are some, like yourself, that can take 35 shots and keep 34, and I am envious. For the record though, of those 500 shots probably about a third were duplicates. I always shoot on continuous in situations where people or things will be moving quickly. That doesn't mean I'm just aiming my camera and hoping something happens.
As for failing your tests... well. I'm not here to pass anyone's test. FM has some of the most discerning and incredibly talented photogs I've ever seen. I appreciate all the criticism I get, even when you don't think that I'm listening.
I did post better choices in my last post, which garnered very little attention. Of the two I posted I agree the first isn't as strong as the second. There is actually a second photo to that one which would look fantastic side by side. Maybe next time I'll look at putting together something more structured instead of just the photos.
As for my challenge... well I don't mean to be snarky. From an amateur that may not know any better, I would be quite impressed. Something to strive for perhaps.
Hmm I should also add that this couple did not pay me for my photos. Although they did give me a gift card for The Keg. He's a coworker and I was just doing it as a favor. They also absolutely LOVED their shots. Clients are not nearly as picky as photogs.
part of taking the step up is learning to present your work, regardless of what your images look like in LR or PS, the 2nd one looks like the belly in in focus here, and the face is soft ... doubt this fact changes in another viewing venue, the first one, your WB is off, the image is underexposed, again this is presentation.
Imagine someone is considering hiring you, they google you and find images like these on the net, they'll move on. Learning to finish an image is all part of the job, presenting them online comes with the job. Your client will want web images they can post on their facebook, email to grandma etc
... but, sorry, you already know that, so why am I bothering to say so,
sorry was just trying to help, you seemed to ask for advice from the pros, but when it is given, you have an answer, if you know the answers, why ask the questions?
and people wonder why the pros don't participate as often as they could?
I'm not commenting on your photography, but if the first family loved the photos, you must consider yourself lucky. Some parents are more picky than the photographers, but of course friends are usually more supportive and subjective about your work. After this kind of feedback from photographers I guess I would start slowly with the money part, and keep shooting, posting, reading the feedback patiently, and improving as the result. You can always increase your prices later on.
Its been a long day at work... I'm home now with a beer in hand, so forgive me if I was a little confrontational.
Let me start by saying that I do appreciate the comments and critiques.
What got me rather jumpy however is
"it appears you shot a lot of frames in hope of getting something."
I think to any photog that is pretty much a kick in the teeth.
I can understand where you're coming from with only delivering 10-20 shots. And indeed if I had culled all the way down to that, the overall quality of the set would be higher. Though I don't think it would be fair to say that every shot taken has the same missed focus or WB.
I'll be going ahead with the next baby shoot. This is still technically a favor for a friend. So, with a resounding "NO" to my original question, I will simply be charging the next couple for gas... about $20.
As I said before though, my friend was incredibly happy with how the photos turned out.
capguy: Posted just after you got in. Considering the fiasco my fiance and I just had with a photog we had to fire; I do consider myself pretty lucky. His photos were technically correct... but they sucked.
I saw a married couple that started shooting weddings and they did posted on Craigs list and said they will do 4 free weddings because they want to get the experience and had already shot two weddings for free Prior. The facts are you know your an amature because you stated that in the first post. You stated that your barely even a hobbiest. So you know and we know you need practice. I think I would shoot a few more for free to get your confidence up and then think about charging. You should have posted some of your best shots on the first post because the two you posted are not your best work. I saw many that were very nice with great light and exposure. You have the tectnical know how, now you just need to practice it.
Oh and having to shoot a lot because kids don't sit still, I know the feeling. Sometimes one of the best shots is a lucky shot. We all know that.
KAJed wrote:
Heh I challenge you to try and run around and keep 'good' light on a little one.
In a studio setup, sure that might be possible.
A easy challenge I would win. Do it all the time by watching what I am shooting, keeping the subject in focus and having correct WB plus knowing how to correct most anything before showing a single photo ...... the reason why a client hires a professional photographer and pays for the service.
In your last comment you mention you had to fire a photographer. Way too many people with a camera think they can charge before the master the ability to do a good job. If you were to start charging you would be part of that group.
If the next set turns out as good or better then I will have proven to myself that it's not just luck. Hopefully they'll recommend me too and I'll get to keep practicing. It's tough to find people who are willing to let me use them for target practice.
jefferies - Damnit... I was going to point you to the forum post in the Wedding Photography forum that has samples from this guy when we were complaining about him. Then I remembered that they were up on my flickr and so bad that I had taken them down. He's been in photography and print for 20 years... yikes.
I would love to see a set like this jefferies. I can't find a whole lot in the way of this kinda stuff. Do you, or anyone else posting have a good example? The only baby photos I find are studio.
Check out the work of Audrey Woulard. I don't recommend charging her rates, however.
The question of what you should charge is a tough one. What is your time worth? Do you have insurance? Do you have a contract and releases ready for client signature? What are your costs and margin target? It's not as simple as it seems. I think that you will be more comfortable if you just have fun with it and don't charge a thing.
I know the feeling. Sometimes one of the best shots is a lucky shot. We all know that. 